To evaluate the effectiveness of integrating primary care and infectious disease services within community-based harm reduction settings.
Key Findings:
Increased treatment engagement among people who use drugs (PWUD) due to trusted providers.
Integrated care models reduce patient attrition and lower substance use relapse rates.
Resource availability is a significant barrier to implementing integrated models.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the potential of integrated care as an equity-centered framework for delivering low-threshold addiction and harm reduction care, but emphasizes the need for systemic policy changes to support sustainability.
Limitations:
Limited budgets and infrastructure in community-based harm reduction programs.
Challenges in recruiting qualified healthcare providers due to stigma.
Robust policy reforms, sustainable funding structures, and investment in workforce development are essential for the success of integrated harm reduction programs.
